The Idaho Tour
Explore northern Idaho’s panhandle, from Washington to Montana, on this trip that travels on two of the most spectacular bike paths in the country. This is a trip that allows for plenty of photo and sightseeing opportunities at a relaxing pace.
Day one starts in Wallace, Idaho. Vehicles stay in Wallace as everyone rides either 68 or 50 miles down to Harrison along the Trail of the Coeur d A’lenes. This rails-to-trails path passes through forests, farmland, wetlands, and generally follows the Coeur d A’lene River to Harrison. On your way to Harrison, watch for deer, elk, moose, a variety of birds, and even bear. Harrison is right on the bank of Lake Coeur d A’lene and is a very small, but welcoming, town.
We stay two nights in Harrison; and on the layover day we ride 35 miles round trip to Plummer, at the west end of the trail, for a lunch stop. This is the most spectacular day for scenery. Most of the day is spent riding along the lake. We cross the old railroad bridge, at the south end of the lake, and then climb up to Plummer through a pretty pine forest. This is the only climbing on the trip because the 50 miles between Wallace and Harrison is almost completely flat. Then on day three we ride the 50 miles back to Wallace.
On day four you can either head home or take the optional 17- or 34-mile ride on the Route of the Hiawatha. The Hiawatha is a gravel trail that crosses seven tall trestles and travels through nine tunnels. This path, which follows the old Milwaukie rail line through the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains, was once considered the most scenic rail route in the country.
This is a motel trip. We spend the first night in Wallace, the next two nights in Harrison, and the fourth night back in Wallace. This is hot and dry weather country in July and August. In the eight times we have done the trip we’ve had a massive rain and thunderstorm, in the evening, that everyone enjoyed from the motel in Harrison. We also once had a light mist for a short time on the way to Plummer on day two. All the other days have been sunny and 78° to 90°. Plummer is at the west end of the Coeur d A’lene, just short of Washington; and Mullen, at the east end, is just short of Montana. The Hiawatha starts in Montana and passes into Idaho part way through the first tunnel.
Surrounded by spectacular scenery, this is a trip to kick back, take pictures, and relax. You have all day to do the rides, and you can’t get lost because you never get off the trails. Riders split up along the trails; some stopping here, and others stopping there. You end up leapfrogging each other along the way. Your only worry is that you didn’t see a moose, and most of the others did. On the Coeur d A’lene there are bathrooms and picnic tables scattered along the full route.
The Idaho Tour is limited to 30 people because the only motel in Harrison has just 15 rooms. This year’s trip in late August is full, with a waiting list. The trip will be offered again in 2020 but the exact dates have not yet been set.
Bud Rice, Club Member